A superhero origin story would absolutely be 12 years in a cage and then set free by secretive criminals.

That’s the story of Flaco, the Eurasian Eagle Owl, released from his vandalised cage in Central Park Zoo, New York City. 

He turned up in the middle of an intersection nearby, looking dazed and people in the know thought, ‘This is going to end badly,’ because animals released from captivity have an extremely low survival rate. 

But Flaco – ‘skinny’ in Spanish – flew in the face of all that. Flaco not only learned to live, he seemed to thrive.

He turned up on fire escapes and windowsills, and was photographed around Manhattan like a coked-up socialite with wide eyes and fabulous ear tufts. 

But, how long could Flaco possibly last in the graveyard of bird diversity that is the city? How long could he fly without confusing a window for the sky?

Featuring:

• Ed Shanahan, Metro reporter, The New York Times. 
• Julia Wang, Project Leader, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. 
• Brendon Samuels, Fatal Light Awareness Program and Western University in Canada.
• Dr Kylie Soanes, Urban ecologist at The University of Melbourne.
• Mat Howard, Midjuburi Ward (Marrickville), Inner West Council, NSW.
• Kat and Zach, Flaco Song.

Production:

• Ann Jones, Presenter / Producer.
• Petria Ladgrove, Producer.
• Additional mastering:  Hamish Camilleri.

This episode of What the Duck?! was produced on the land of the Wadawarrung and Kaurna people.